Methods for manufacturing architectural constructs

ABSTRACT

An architectural construct is a synthetic material that includes a matrix characterization of different crystals engineered to exhibit certain properties. An architectural construct can be fabricated by a process involving layer deposition, formation, exfoliation and spacing. In one aspect, purified methane can be dehydrogenated onto a substrate by applying heat through the substrate. Deposited carbon can form a plurality of layers of a matrix characterization of crystallized carbon through self-organization. The layers can be exfoliated and spaced to configure parallel orientation at a desired spacing and thickness using selected precursors and applying heat, pressure, or both. The desired architectural construct can further be stabilized and doped to exhibit desired properties.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/526,185, filed on Aug. 22, 2011, and U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/523,261, filed on Aug. 12, 2011, both of which are incorporatedherein by reference. To the extent the foregoing provisional applicationand/or other materials incorporated herein by reference conflict withthe present disclosure, the present disclosure controls.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a material that includes a matrixcharacterization of different crystals.

BACKGROUND

Technology has progressed more during the last 150 years than during anyother time in history. Integral to this age of innovation has been theexploitation of the properties exhibited by both new and existingmaterials. For example, silicon, being a semiconductor, has beentransformed into processors; and steel, having a high tensile strength,has been used to construct the skeletons of skyscrapers. Futureinnovations will similarly depend on exploiting the useful properties ofnew and existing materials.

A material's usefulness depends on its application. A material thatexhibits a combination of useful properties is especially useful becauseit may enable or improve some technology. For example, computerprocessors rely on multitudes of transistors, each of which outputs avoltage equivalent to a binary 1 or 0 depending on its input. Fewmaterials are suitable as transistors. But semiconductor materials haveunique properties that facilitate a transistor's binary logic, makingsemiconductors especially useful for computer hardware.

Technology will continue to progress. Engineers and scientists willcontinue to create novel inventions. Implementing these ideas willdepend on materials that can be configured to behave in new anddesirable ways.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a molecular structure of a matrixcharacterization of crystals.

FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a molecular structure of two layers of amatrix characterization of crystals of an architectural construct.

FIG. 1C is another diagram showing a molecular structure of two layersof a matrix characterization of crystals of an architectural construct.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an architectural construct configured asa solid mass.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an architectural constructconfigured as parallel layers.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an architectural construct configured asparallel layers.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an architectural constructconfigured as parallel layers.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of an architectural constructconfigured as concentric tubular layers.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an architectural constructconfigured as parallel layers.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a layer of an architectural construct.

FIG. 9 is another side view of a layer of an architectural construct.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an architectural construct configured asparallel layers.

FIG. 11 is another side view of an architectural construct configured asparallel layers.

FIG. 12A shows an exemplary process of fabricating an architecturalconstruct using hydrocarbon.

FIG. 12B shows an exemplary process of exfoliation and spacing of layersin the process of fabricating an architectural construct.

FIG. 12C shows another exemplary process of exfoliation and spacing oflayers using selected precursors in the process of fabricating anarchitectural construct.

FIG. 12D shows an exemplary process of self-organization of layers usingselected precursors in the process of fabricating an architecturalconstruct.

FIG. 12E shows another exemplary process of exfoliation and spacing oflayers using acid in the process of fabricating an architecturalconstruct.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary method of fabricating an architectural constructusing purified methane.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary process of fabricating an architecturalconstruct using boron nitride.

FIG. 15 shows another exemplary method of fabricating an architecturalconstruct using boron nitride.

FIG. 16A shows a side view of an exemplary architectural construct withplanes of single-atom thick layers.

FIG. 16B shows another side view of an exemplary architectural constructwith planes of single-atom thick layers.

FIG. 16C shows a top view of an exemplary architectural construct withplanes of single-atom thick layers.

FIG. 16D shows an exemplary plane that exhibits scroll behavior.

FIG. 17A shows a three dimensional side view of uniformly spaced,parallel layers of an exemplary architectural construct.

FIG. 17B shows a three dimensional side view of an exemplaryarchitectural construct with gas molecules adsorbed and confined betweenlayers.

FIG. 18A shows a three dimensional top view of exemplary plane(s) oflayer(s) of an architectural construct carrying a substance andself-healing.

FIG. 18B shows a three dimensional side view of exemplary planes oflayers of an architectural construct carrying a substance andself-healing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Architectural constructs as described herein are configurable so thatthey may exhibit useful properties. An architectural construct includesa synthetic matrix characterization of crystals. These crystals can beprimarily composed of carbon, boron nitride, mica, or another material.The matrix characterization of crystals can be configured as a solidmass, as flat or curvilinear layers that are as thin as an atom (e.g.,graphene), or in other arrangements and variations. In someimplementations, an architectural construct includes a matrixcharacterization of crystals incorporated in a non-crystalline matrix,such as a glass or polymer. In some implementations, an architecturalconstruct includes a matrix characterization of crystals that has beenloaded with a substance, such as hydrogen. In some implementations, anarchitectural construct is configured to have particular mechanicalproperties. The crystals of an architectural construct have matrixattributes or arrangements. The crystals of an architectural constructare specialized (e.g., arranged in a specific configuration) so that thearchitectural construct exhibits particular properties. Five sets ofproperties of an architectural construct are especially exploitabletechnologically: (i) a construct's thermal properties; (ii) itselectrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic properties;(iii) its chemical and catalytic properties; (iv) its capillaryproperties; and (v) its sorptive properties.

An architectural construct can be designed to utilize some or all ofthese properties for a particular application. As discussed in detailbelow, an architectural construct's behavior depends on its composition,the surface structures located on its layers, its layer orientation,completeness or incompleteness of lattice site occupancy, its edgecharacteristics, its dopants, and the coatings (including catalysts)that are applied to its surfaces. When it is configured as layers, itsbehavior also depends on the thicknesses of its layers, the spacersbetween its layers, the distances separating its layers, and the meansused for supporting and/or separating its layers. An architecturalconstruct can be a micro or a macro-structure designed to facilitatemicro-processing including nano-scale events. From a macroscopicstandpoint, it can be configured to have a specific density, electricalconductivity, magnetic characteristic, specific heat, opticalcharacteristic, modulus of elasticity, and/or section modulus. And itcan be designed so that from a microscopic standpoint it acts as amolecular processor, magnetic domain support, charge processor, and/orbio processor.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described. Thefollowing description provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding and an enabling description of these embodiments. Oneskilled in the art will understand, however, that the invention may bepracticed without many of these details. Additionally, some well-knownstructures or functions may not be shown or described in detail in orderto avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the variousembodiments. The terminology used in the description presented below isintended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, eventhough it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description ofcertain specific embodiments of the invention.

Architectural Constructs

An architectural construct includes a synthetic matrix characterizationof crystals. The crystals are composed of carbon, boron nitride, mica,or another suitable substance. The configuration and treatment of thesecrystals will heavily influence the properties that the architecturalconstruct will exhibit, especially when it experiences certainconditions. Many of these properties are described below and arediscussed in relation to five categories of properties. These categoriesinclude the following: (i) thermal properties; (ii) electrical,magnetic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic properties; (iii)chemical and other catalytic properties; (iv) capillary properties; and(v) sorptive properties. Although they are grouped in this way,properties from different sets are sometimes interrelated or associatedwith one another. Accordingly, an architectural construct can beconfigured to exhibit some or all of the properties discussed throughoutthis specification.

An architectural construct can be configured in many ways. A designercan arrange it as a solid mass (e.g., as multiple single-atom-thicklayers stacked in various orientations upon one another), as multiplelayers that are spaced apart and as thin as an representative atom, orin another configuration through which it will exhibit a desirableproperty. A designer can also dope the construct or coat selectedportions its surfaces with a substance or with surface structures, eachof which will cause it to behave in a different way than it would haveotherwise. For example, surfaces of an architectural construct can becoated or reacted in various ways with surface structures or coatingscomposed of carbon, boron, nitrogen, silicon, sulfur, and/or transitionmetals. These and other variations are detailed further below withreference to various implementations of architectural constructs.

FIG. 1A shows a molecular diagram of a layer of a matrixcharacterization of crystals 100 according to some implementations. Thelayer may include carbon, boron nitride, mica, or another suitablematerial. For example, the matrix characterization of crystals 100 maybe a layer of graphene. A layer of a matrix characterization of crystalslike that shown in FIG. 1A can be configured as an architecturalconstruct by specializing the layer, such as by doping the layer orarranging the layer with other layers in a particular configuration sothat the resulting construct including one or more edges exhibits one ormore characteristics or a particular property.

Layers of a matrix characterization of crystals that combine to form anarchitectural construct can be configured and stacked together as alayer that is thicker than an atom (e.g., graphene stacked to formgraphite) and/or spaced apart from one another by particular distances.Furthermore, layers of an architectural construct can be oriented withrespect to one another in various ways. FIG. 1B shows a diagram of anarchitectural construct 105 that includes a first layer 110 of a matrixcharacterization of crystals arranged on a second layer 120 of a matrixcharacterization of crystals. The first layer 110 is offset and parallelrelative to the second layer 120 so that when viewed from above someatoms of the first layer 110 align within the zone between atoms of thesecond layer. In the example shown, each atom of the first parallellayer is approximately centered within a hexagon formed by atoms of thesecond layer 120. In some implementations, the first and second layersof an architectural construct are configured so that the atoms of thefirst layer and the atoms of the second layer align vertically. Forexample, a structural diagram of an architectural construct where theatoms of two layers align vertically is represented by FIG. 1A. FIG. 1Cshows a molecular diagram of an architectural construct 125 thatincludes a first layer 130 and a second layer 140 of a matrixcharacterization of crystals. In this embodiment, the first layer 130 isillustratively rotated 30 degrees relative to the adjacent layer. Inalternative embodiments, the first layer may be rotated more or lessthan 30 degrees relative the adjacent or second layer. In someimplementations, the first layer of an architectural construct includesa first substance, such as carbon, and the second layer of the constructincludes a second substance, such as boron nitride. Layers composed ofor doped with different substances may not appear planar as largermolecules may warp or increase the separation of planar surfaces. Asfurther detailed below, some properties of an architectural constructare influenced by the orientation of its layers relative to one another.For example, a designer can rotate or shift the first layer of aconstruct relative to the second layer of the construct so that theconstruct exhibits particular optical or catalytic properties, includinga specific optical grating and/or chemical process improvement.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of an architectural construct 200 that isconfigured as a solid mass. The architectural construct 200 can include,for example, graphite or boron nitride. An architectural constructconfigured as a solid mass includes multiple single-atom-thick layersstacked together in various orientations including flat and curvilineararrays. An architectural construct configured as a solid mass isspecialized, meaning it has been altered to behave in a specific way. Insome implementations, a solid mass is specialized by doping or byorienting its single-atom-thick layers a particular way with respect toone another.

An architectural construct can be composed of a single substance (e.g.,boron nitride), or graphite, graphene and diamond, or it can bespecialized by being doped or reacted with other substances. Forexample, an architectural construct including graphene may have areasthat are reacted with boron to form both stoichiometric andnon-stoichiometric subsets. The graphene can be further specialized withnitrogen and can include both carbon graphene and boron nitride graphenewith a nitrogen interface. In some implementations, compounds are builtupon the architectural construct. For example, from a boron nitrideinterface, a designer can build magnesium-aluminum-boron compounds. Insome implementations, the edges of a layer of an architectural constructare reacted with a substance, for example, silicon may be bonded on theedges to form silicon carbide, which forms stronger bonds between theconstruct and other matter. Other reactions could be carried out tochange the construct's optical characteristics or another property suchas specific heat. By specializing an architectural construct in suchways, a designer can create a construct that exhibits properties thatare different than those of a construct composed of only one type ofatom.

Architectural constructs that include parallel layers spaced apart fromone another are capable of yielding a wide range of properties andachieving many outcomes. FIGS. 3-11 show architectural constructsconfigured according to some implementations. FIG. 3 is across-sectional side view of an architectural construct 300 configuredas parallel layers. The parallel layers of an architectural constructmay be comprised of any of a number of substances, such as graphene,graphite, or boron nitride. Parallel layers may be rectangular,circular, or another shape. In FIG. 3, the layers are circular andinclude a hole through which a support tube 310 supports thearchitectural construct 300. The layers are each separated by a distance320, which characterizes physical, chemical, mechanical, optical andelectrical properties and conditions in zones 330 between the layers.

There are a number of approaches for creating architectural constructslike those shown in FIGS. 1-11. One is to deposit or machine a singlecrystal into a desired shape and to heat treat or utilize other methodsto exfoliate the single crystal into layers. As an example, the crystalis warm-soaked in a fluid substance, such as hydrogen, until a uniformor non-uniform concentration of the fluid diffuses into the crystal. Thecrystal may be coated with substances that catalyze this process byhelping the fluid enter the crystal. Catalysts may also control thedepth to which the fluid diffuses into the crystal, allowing layers thatare multiple-atoms thick to be exfoliated from the crystal. Sufficientcoatings include the platinum metal group, rare earth metals,palladium-silver alloys, titanium and alloys of iron-titanium,iron-titanium-copper, and iron-titanium-copper-rare earth metals alongwith various alloys and compounds that may contain such substances. Athin catalyst coating may be applied by vapor deposition, sputtering, orelectroplating techniques. The coatings may be removed after each useand reused on another crystal after it has allowed the entry anddiffusion of fluid into the crystal. In some implementations, dopants orimpurities are introduced into the crystal at a particular depth toencourage the fluid to diffuse to that depth so that layers that aremultiple-atoms thick can be exfoliated from the crystal.

The soaked crystal may be placed in a temporary container or encased inan impermeable pressure vessel. Pressure may be suddenly released fromthe container or vessel causing the impregnated fluid to move into areaswhere the packing is least dense and form gaseous layers. Gas pressurecauses the exfoliation of each plane. Additional separation can becreated by repeating this process with successively larger molecules,such as methane, ethane, propane, and butane. The 0001 planes can beseparated by a particular distance by controlling the amount and type offluid that enters the crystal and the temperature at the start ofexpansion. The layers of the architectural construct can be oriented ina position with respect to one another (i.e., offset and/or rotated asdiscussed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-C) by applying trace crystalmodifiers, such as neon, argon, or helium, at the time of a layer'sdeposition using a heat treatment that moves the structure to aparticular orientation or by application of torque and/or vibration tothe crystal during exfoliation.

In some implementations, before it is exfoliated, one or more holes maybe bored in the crystal so that it will accommodate a support structure,like the fluid conduit and/or support tube 310 that supports thearchitectural construct 300 illustrated in FIG. 3. A support structuremay be configured within a crystal before it is exfoliated to supportthe architectural construct as it is created. The support structure canalso be placed in the architectural construct after the crystal has beenexfoliated. A support structure may also be used to fix the layers of anarchitectural construct at a particular distance apart from one another.In some implementations, a support structure may be configured along theedges of an architectural construct's layers (e.g., as a casing for anarchitectural construct that is comprised of parallel layers).

Layers of an architectural construct can be made to have any thickness.In FIG. 3, each of the parallel layers of the architectural construct300 is an atom thick. For example, each layer may be a sheet ofgraphene. In some implementations, the layers of the architecturalconstruct are thicker than one atom. FIG. 4 is a side view of anarchitectural construct 400 configured as parallel layers. In thesection shown, the layers of the architectural construct 400 are eachthicker than one atom. For example, as discussed above with respect toFIGS. 1A-C, each layer may include multiple sheets of graphene stackedupon one another in any of the orientations of FIG. 1A, 1B or 1C. Anarchitectural construct may include parallel layers that are only oneatom thick, a few atoms thick, or layers that are much thicker, such as20 atoms or more.

In some implementations, all the layers are the same thickness, while inother implementations the layers' thicknesses vary. FIG. 5 is across-sectional side view of an architectural construct 500 configuredas parallel layers that have various thicknesses. As discussed above,layers thicker than an atom or differing from one another in thicknessesmay be exfoliated from a single crystal by controlling the depth towhich a fluid is diffused into the crystal (e.g., by introducingimpurities or dopants at the desired depth).

When an architectural construct is configured as parallel layers, thelayers may be spaced an equal distance apart or by varying distances.Referring again to FIG. 3, an approximately equal distance 320 separateseach of the parallel layers characterizing zones 330. In FIG. 5, thedistances between the layers of the architectural construct 500 vary.For example, the distance between the layers of a first set 510 oflayers is greater than the distance between the layers of a second set520 of layers, meaning that the zones between the layers of the firstset 510 are larger than those of the second set 520.

A number of techniques can be used to arrange one layer a particulardistance from another layer. As mentioned above, one method is toconfigure the parallel layers on a support structure and exfoliate eachlayer so that there is a certain distance between it and an adjacentlayer. For example, a manufacturer can control both the volume of fluidand the distance that it is diffused into a single crystal whenexfoliating a layer. Another method is to electrically charge orinductively magnetize each exfoliated layer and electrically ormagnetically force the layers apart from one another. Diffusion bondingor using a suitable adherent can secure the layers in place on thecentral tube at a particular distance away from one another.

Another technique for establishing a particular distance between thelayers is to deposit spacers between the layers. Spacers can be composedof atoms of metals, non-metals or semiconductors such as carbon andtitanium (e.g., to form diamond or titanium carbide with a graphenelayer), iron (e.g., to form iron carbide with a graphene layer), boron,nitrogen, etc. Referring again to FIG. 4, the parallel layers 400 areseparated with spacers 410. In some implementations, a gas isdehydrogenated on the surface of each layer, creating the spacers 410where each particle or molecule is dehydrogenated. For example, after alayer of an architectural construct is exfoliated, methane may be heatedon the surface of the layer causing the methane molecules to split anddeposit carbon atoms on the surface of the layer. The larger themolecule that is dehydrogenated, the larger the potential spacing. Forexample, propane, which has three carbon atoms per molecule, will createa larger deposit and area or space than methane, which has one carbonatom per molecule. In some implementations, parallel layers areconfigured on a central tube and the spacers are included between thelayers. In some implementations, the spacers are surface structures,like nanotubes and nanoscrolls, which transfer heat and facilitate inthe loading or unloading of substances into an architectural construct.Architectural constructs that include these types of surface structuresare described below with respect to FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of an architectural construct600 configured as concentric tubular layers of a matrix characterizationof crystals. For example, a first layer 610 of the architecturalconstruct is tubular and has a diameter greater than a second layer 620of the architectural construct, and the second layer 620 is configuredwithin the first layer 610. An architectural construct configured asconcentric tubes can be formed in many ways. One method is todehydrogenate a gas, such as a hydrocarbon, within a frame to form thefirst layer 610 of the architectural construct 600, and to dehydrogenatea substance, such as titanium hydride, to form spacers (e.g., surfacestructures) on the inside surface of the first layer beforedehydrogenating the first gas to form the second layer 620 on thespacers. Subsequent layers can then be deposited in a similar fashion.In some implementations, each tubular layer is formed by dehydrogenatinga gas in its own frame. The dehydrogenated layers are then configuredwithin one another in the configuration shown in FIG. 6. Spacers can bedeposited on either the inside or outside surfaces of the layers tospace them apart by a particular distance. In other instances, multiplewraps of a material such as polyvinyl fluoride or chloride aredehydrogenated to produce the desired architectural construct. In otherinstances, polyvinylidene chloride or fluoride is dehydrogenated toproduce the desired architectural construct.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an architectural construct 700comprised of parallel layers. The architectural construct 700 includes afirst set 710 of layers where the layers are spaced apart by a closerdistance than the layers in a second set 720 of layers. Thearchitectural construct 700 is discussed in further detail below withreference to some of the properties that it exhibits in thisconfiguration. FIG. 8 is a side view of a layer 800 of an architecturalconstruct. The layer 800 has a circular shape, and it includes a hole810, through which a support structure may support the layer 800. FIG. 9is a side view of a layer 900 of an architectural construct that has arectangular shape with rounded corners. As mentioned above, if a layeris exfoliated from a single crystal, it can be machined into aparticular shape either before or after exfoliation. Multiple layerslike the layer 900 can be arranged together via, for example, a supportstructure configured on its edges or spacers configured on theirsurfaces. In some implementations, the surface of an architecturalconstruct is treated with a substance. For example, the surface of anarchitectural construct can be coated with at least one of carbon,boron, nitrogen, silicon, sulfur, transition metals, carbides, andborides, which causes the architectural construct to exhibit aparticular property including properties developed by solid solutions orcompounds that may be formed. For example, as discussed below, thesurface of an architectural construct can be treated so that it includessilicon carbide, which may change its electromagnetic and/or opticalproperties.

In some implementations, an architectural construct is semi-permanent ora constituent or donor is configured to be non-sacrificial. For example,as explained below, an architectural construct can be configured to loadmolecules of a substance into zones between layers of the construct. Anon-sacrificial construct can load and unload substances or performother tasks without sacrificing any of its structure. In otherimplementations, an architectural construct is configured to sacrificeatoms from its crystalline structure at certain times or occasions tofacilitate a particular result. For example, an architectural constructthat is composed of boron nitride may be configured to load nitrogen,whose reaction with hydrogen the boron nitride will facilitate in orderto form ammonia and/or other nitrogenous substances. As a result, atomsfrom the construct will be sacrificed during the reaction with hydrogen,and when the product is unloaded from the construct, the architecturalconstruct will have lost the sacrificed molecules of boron nitride. Insome implementations, a construct that has sacrificed its structure canbe restored or cyclically utilized in such reactions. For example, anarchitectural construct that is composed of boron nitride can berestored by presenting the construct with new nitrogen, boron, and/orboron nitride molecules and applying heat or another form of energy suchas electromagnetic radiation. The new boron nitride structure mayself-organize the replacement of the missing atoms into the originalarchitectural construct.

An architectural construct can be designed to have certain propertiessuch as a specific density, modulus of elasticity, specific heat,electrical resistance, and section modulus. These macroscopiccharacteristics affect the properties that an architectural constructexhibits. A construct's density is defined as its mass per unit volume.A number of different parameters affect an architectural construct'sdensity. One is the composition of the matrix characterization ofcrystal. For example, a crystal of boron nitride generally has a higherdensity than a crystal of graphite, depending upon factors such as thosedisclosed regarding FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. Another is the distanceseparating the layers of an architectural construct. Increasing ordecreasing the spacing between the layers will correspondingly increaseor reduce an architectural construct's density. An architecturalconstruct's density may also be greater in embodiments where its layersare spaced apart by denser surface structures relative to embodimentswhere the layers are similarly spaced but not by surface structures. Anarchitectural construct's dopants can also change its density and thusvarious related properties as desired.

An architectural construct's modulus of elasticity is its tendency to bedeformed elastically when a force is applied to it (defined as the slopeof its stress-strain curve in the elastic deformation region). Like itsdensity, an architectural construct's modulus of elasticity depends inpart on the thicknesses of its layers, their spacing, and theircomposition. Its modulus of elasticity will also depend on whether thelayers are electrically charged and how the layers are fixed relative toone another and if the space between layers contains a gas and thepressure of the gas. If the layers are supported by a central tube, likethe support tube 310 of the architectural construct 300 shown in FIG. 3,the individual layers can generally elastically deform by a greateramount than if they are fixed relative to one another using spacers,like the spacers 410 between the layers of the architectural construct400 shown in FIG. 4. For the most part, when spacers fix two layersrelative to one another, each layer will reinforce the other when forceis exerted on either, dampening the deflection that results from a givenforce. The amount that each layer reinforces each other layer iscontingent, in part, on the concentration of spacers between the layersand how rigidly the spacers hold the layers together.

An architectural construct's section modulus is the ratio of a crosssection's second moment of area to the distance of the extremecompressive fiber from the neutral axis. An architectural construct'ssection modulus will depend on the size and shape of each layer ofarchitectural construct. For example, the section modulus of arectangular layer of architectural construct is defined by the followingEquation 1:

$\begin{matrix}{{S = \frac{{bh}^{2}}{6}},} & (1)\end{matrix}$

where b is the base of the rectangle and h is the height. And thesection modulus of a circle with a hole in its center is defined by thefollowing Equation 2:

$\begin{matrix}{{S = \frac{\pi \left( {d_{2}^{4} - d_{1}^{4}} \right)}{32d_{2}}},} & (2)\end{matrix}$

where d₂ is the diameter of the circle and d₁ is the diameter of thehole in the circle.

An architectural construct's density, modulus of elasticity, and sectionmodulus can be constant throughout the architectural construct or theycan vary by section or cyclically. Just as a construct's density,modulus of elasticity, or section modulus can affect the properties theconstruct exhibits, varying these macroscopic characteristics either bysection or cyclically can cause the architectural construct to behavedifferently at different parts of the construct. For example, byseparating an architectural construct's layers in a first section by agreater amount than in a second section (thereby giving it a greaterdensity in the second section than in the first), the architecturalconstruct can be made to preferentially load a first substance in thefirst section and a second substance in the second section. In someimplementations, an architectural construct is configured to haveparticular mechanical properties. For example, an architecturalconstruct can be configured as a support structure for an object. Insome implementations, an architectural construct is configured to haveat least one of a particular fatigue endurance strength, yield strength,ultimate strength, and/or creep strength. In some implementations, anarchitectural construct is configured to have a particular property,including these and the others discussed herein, including variousanisentropic influences on the property.

I. Thermal Properties

An architectural construct can be configured to have specific thermalproperties. Even when its crystalline layers readily conduct heat, anarchitectural construct can be configured to have either a high or lowavailability for conductively transferring heat. Illustratively,conduction that is perpendicular to the layers may be inhibited by thechoice of spacing and spacers. It can also be configured so thatradiative heat is transmitted through passageways or elsewhere withinthe construct, reflected away from the construct, or absorbed by theconstruct. This section describes various implementations ofarchitectural constructs that are designed to have specific thermalbehaviors.

A one-atom-thick graphene layer could be seen as mostly open spacebetween defining carbon atoms. However, graphene provides extremely highthermal and electrical conductivity in directions within the plane ofatoms, yet only about 2.3% of the white light that strikes it will beabsorbed. Similarly about 2% to 5% of the thermal energy spectrumradiated orthogonally at the place of atoms is absorbed while radiativeheat rays parallel to the separated architectural construct layers canbe transmitted with even less attenuation. The net amount of light thatan architectural construct absorbs depends in part on the orientation ofsuccessive layers relative to one another. Variations in theorientations of the layers of an architectural construct, as discussedabove with reference to FIGS. 1A-C, can enable various new applications.For example, radiative energy can be delivered to sub-surface locationsvia more absorptive orientations, such as the orientation shown in FIG.1B. As another example, radiation can be polarized via orientations suchas that shown in FIG. 1C; this orientation can be further modified byoffsetting a layer in the direction of its plane by a certain amount,such as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B. For a furtherdiscussion of graphene's properties, optical and otherwise, see R. R.Nair, P. Blake, A. N. Grigorenko, K. S. Novoselov, T. J. Booth, T.Stauber, N. M. R. Prees and A. K. Geim, Fine Structure Constant DefinesVisual Transparency of Graphene, 320 SCIENCE 1308 (2008); A. B.Kuzmenko, E. van Heumen, F. Carbone, and D. van der Marel, UniversalOptical Conductance of Graphite, DPMC, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva4, Switzerland (2008).

Some crystalline substances, like graphene, graphite, and boron nitride,readily conduct heat in certain directions. In some applications, anarchitectural construct composed of one of these substances isconfigured to transfer heat between two locations or away from or to aparticular location. In other applications, the architectural constructis configured so that heat may be efficiently transferred into and outof the construct as needed. An architectural construct composed of asubstance like graphene can be rapidly heated or cooled. Despite havinga much lower density than metal, an architectural construct canconductively transfer a greater amount of heat in desired directions perunit area than solid silver, raw graphite, copper, or aluminum.

An architectural construct can be arranged so that it has a highavailability for conductively transferring heat by configuring theconstruct to have a high concentration of thermally conductive pathwaysthrough a given cross section of the construct. An architecturalconstruct can be arranged to have a low availability for conductivelytransferring heat by configuring the construct to have a lowconcentration of thermally conductive pathways through a given crosssection of the construct. For example, FIG. 7 shows the architecturalconstruct 700 configured as parallel layers that are rectangular andsupported by a central support structure 703. A first set 710 ofparallel layers is composed of layers that are more or less equallythick such as an atom thick and are spaced a first distance away fromone another. A second set 720 of layers is composed of layers that maysimilarly be an atom thick and are spaced a second distance away fromone another that is greater than the first distance. Because of the ahigher concentration of thermal passageways over the span of the firstset 710 of parallel layers than over the span of the second set 720 oflayers (the sets of layers span approximately the same distance), thefirst set has a higher availability for conductively transferring heatthan the second set. It follows that the second set 720 does a betterjob than the first set 710 of thermally insulating an object located ata first side 701 of the construct from an object located on a secondside 702 and for providing insulation against heat transfer parallel tothe longitudinal axis of support 703.

In some implementations, an architectural construct configured asparallel layers is arranged to insulate a surface which the layers arenot orthogonal to. For example, the architectural construct can beconfigured so its layers contact a flat surface at an angle such as 45degrees by offsetting the edges of consecutive layers by a particularamount so that the layers achieve this angle with the surface whenplaced against it. In some implementations, an architectural constructmay be arranged to have a higher availability for conductivelytransferring heat by configuring it to have thicker layers. For example,referring again to FIG. 5, there is a higher availability for thermallytransferring heat through the second set 520 of layers than through thefirst set 510 because the second set of layers is thicker than the firstand spaced closer together. In some implementations, an architecturalconstruct includes surface structures, such as on the architecturalconstruct 1000 shown in FIG. 10, which facilitates the conductivetransfer of heat within the construct.

As discussed below with reference to an architectural construct'selectromagnetic and optical properties, an architectural construct canbe arranged to transmit, diffract, reflect, refract, or otherwisetransform radiant energy. Accordingly, an architectural construct may beconfigured to interact in a specific way with radiant heat. In someimplementations, an architectural construct is configured to transmitradiant heat through passageways within the construct. This transfer ofradiant heat can enable endothermic or exothermic reactions that arefacilitated by catalytic presentation of reagents and/or reactants byenergy transfers at the speed of light. A construct's properties relatedto radiant heat transfer can be altered by including surface structureson the layers of the construct, which may absorb or reflect specificwavelengths. Reactants are oriented, held in place, and heated or cooledas products are removed by the interaction with architectural constructplanes including dopants and application of continuous, intermittent oroccasional electric charge and/or radiation.

Radiation gratings with various slot widths can be fabricated asspacings between layers or by electron beam lithography (e-beam), andtheir infrared transmission of the transverse magnetic mode (TM mode)provides for Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). This, alongwith local dopants, provides the basis for integrated subcircuits andsystems that serve as infrared photodetectors, bio-chip sensors, andlight-emitting diode polarizers. U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/064,341, filed on Aug. 4, 2008 and titled “INFRARED COMMUNICATIONAPPARATUS AND INFRARED COMMUNICATION METHOD,” the teachings of which areincorporated herein by reference, describes some exemplary systems.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the second set 720 of layers may be spacedapart a particular distance, composed of a particular substance, andconfigured to have a particular thickness so that incident infraredenergy that is parallel to the layers enters and is transmitted throughzones between the layers. For example, to transmit radiant energy of aparticular frequency, an architectural construct can be comprised oflayers of boron nitride that are spaced apart according to quantummechanics relationships. Similarly, as previously noted, anarchitectural construct can also be configured to specifically absorbradiant energy involving many layers or at discrete locations on orbetween layers. For example, the layers of the first set 710 of layersmay be spaced apart at a particular distance, be composed of aparticular substance, and be a particular thickness so that at least aportion of incident infrared energy is absorbed by the layers. Opacityof each individual layer or of a suspended layer is 2.3% of theorthogonal radiation as established by quantum electrodynamics. Opacityof a group of layers depends upon their spacings, the orientations ofthe architectural construct's layers, the interactions of relativisticelectrons within the layers and the selection of spacers, such as thesurface structures.

An architectural construct can also be arranged to insulate an objectfrom radiative energy, including radiant heat. In some implementations,an architectural construct can insulate an object from radiant heat byreflecting the radiant energy or by transmitting the radiant energythrough passageways around or away from the object. For example,referring to FIG. 4, an architectural construct can be configured toinsulate an object placed on the right side of the architecturalconstruct 400 from a radiation source on the left side of the construct.

An architectural construct's thermal properties can also be changed byadding a coating to the surfaces of the construct or by doping theconstruct. For example, referring again to FIG. 4, the architecturalconstruct 400 can be doped as it is self-organized or by diffusion orion implantation to increase its thermal conductivity generally or inspecific areas or directions. It can also be coated with metals, such asaluminum, silver, gold, or copper, to reflect specific frequencies ormore radiant heat than it would have otherwise.

II. Acoustic, Electromagnetic, and Optical Properties

Architectural constructs can be made to exhibit specific properties inresponse to radiant or acoustic energy. They can be configured toacoustically and/or electromagnetically resonate at specificfrequencies. They can also be constructed to have a particular index ofrefraction, and they can be designed to shift the frequency of incidentelectromagnetic waves. These properties can be controlled by arranging aconstruct to have a particular configuration, including a specificdensity, modulus of elasticity, and section modulus. As discussed above,these parameters can be adjusted by changing the composition of anarchitectural construct, its treatment, and its design.

An architectural construct's acoustic resonance frequency changes with anumber of factors including the choices of various substances andrelated properties and may be designed to resonate at a lower or higherfrequency than conventional materials. Accordingly, when anarchitectural construct is configured as parallel layers, and accordingto the presence and locations and densities of pillars or separators, athin layer may be configured to have a higher resonant frequency than athicker layer. An architectural construct supported firmly on its edgeswill resonate at a lower frequency than one that is supported at itscenter. Additionally, an architectural construct with a high modulus ofelasticity will resonate at a greater frequency than one with a lowmodulus of elasticity, and an architectural construct with a highsection modulus can also resonate at a lower or higher frequency than anarchitectural construct with a smaller section modulus. For example,referring again to FIG. 5, the second set 520 of layers has an acousticresonance frequency that is lower than that of the first set 510 oflayers. This is because the layers of the second set are thicker thanthose of the first set and are spaced a shorter distance apart from oneanother, but are otherwise identical. The resonance frequency of any ofthe layers of the second set 520 or the first set 510 can be reduced bymaking the diameter of the layers larger. In some implementations, allthe layers of an architectural construct are designed to resonate at thesame frequency. An architectural construct's resonant frequency willalso depend on its composition. Additionally, in some implementations,dopants and/or coatings are added to an architectural construct toincrease or reduce its acoustic resonance frequency along with providingother specialization. An architectural construct's resonance frequencycan also be reduced by adding spacers, including surface structuresand/or covalent or ionic bonds, between the layers.

An architectural construct can also be configured to resonateelectromagnetically at a particular frequency. For example, its density,modulus of elasticity, and section modulus can be chosen for each layerso that the construct or each layer has a particular resonancefrequency. For example, referring again to FIG. 5, the second set 520 oflayers may have a lower electromagnetic resonant frequency than thefirst set 510 of layers because the second set has thicker layers thanthe first set and are configured closer together than the layers of thefirst set. In some implementations, an architectural construct is doped,and its electromagnetic resonance frequency increases or decreases as aresult of the doping.

An architectural construct may provide five dimensional (5D) memory. Afemtosecond laser may work with a space variant polarization converterthat is incorporated in architectural construct and/or to modify ordevelop structural relationships to provide optical vortex behavior oflight and may provide frequency selectivity along with direction ofrotation control. Similarly, an architectural construct can provide avery small, low-power particle accelerator coupled with polarizationconverters.

An architectural construct may also be configured to absorb radiantenergy that is at a particular wavelength. A number of factors influencewhether an architectural construct will absorb radiant energy that is ata particular wavelength. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the abilityof the architectural construct 400 to absorb radiant energy that is at aparticular wavelength depends on the layers' thicknesses, spacing,composition, dopants, spacers (including surface structures), andcoatings. In some implementations, an architectural construct isconfigured to transmit radiant energy that is a first wavelength andabsorb and re-radiate energy that is a different wavelength from thereceived radiant energy. For example, referring again to FIG. 4, thearchitectural construct 400 may be configured so that the layers areparallel to some but not all incident radiant energy. The parallellayers can be configured to transmit radiant energy that is at any angleincluding parallel to the layers through the construct and absorbnon-parallel radiation and/or to perform polarization functions. In someimplementations, a re-radiative substance (e.g., silicon carbide,silicon boride, carbon boride, etc.) is coated on the surfaces of thearchitectural construct, such as by chemical vapor deposition,sputtering, or otherwise spraying the architectural construct with thesubstance. Subsequently, when non-parallel radiation contacts thearchitectural construct, the re-radiative substance absorbs thenon-parallel radiation and re-radiates the energy at a differentwavelength than that at which the energy was received. For example,silicon carbide can be developed or applied to an architecturalconstruct by making silicon available to form solid solutions andstoichiometric compounds.

As mentioned in the previous example and discussed above with respect toradiant heat, an architectural construct can be configured to transmitradiant energy through radiant passageways in the construct (e.g.,through zones between layers). As mentioned above, thermal radiation canbe transferred at the speed of light in the areas between the layers.For example, the distance separating the layers of the architecturalconstruct 300 shown in FIG. 3 creates zones 330 between the layersthrough which radiant energy can be transferred. In someimplementations, the sizes of the zones between the layers can beincreased allowing more radiant energy to be transmitted. In someimplementations, the layers of an architectural construct are spacedapart to polarize incident electromagnetic waves. Also, as discussedabove, an architectural construct can be configured to insulate anobject from radiation damage or heat transfer. In some implementations,an architectural construct insulates an object from radiation byreflecting the radiant energy. For example, referring to FIG. 4, thearchitectural construct 400 can be configured to insulate an objectplaced on the right side of the architectural construct 400 fromradiation on the left side of the construct. For example, selectedlayers can be composed of boron nitride and be spaced apart to reflectelectromagnetic radiation within specified wavelengths.

An architectural construct can also be configured to have a particularindex of refraction (i.e., an index of refraction within a particularrange or an exact value). An architectural construct's index ofrefraction is a function of, among other variables, the composition ofthe layers (e.g., boron nitride, graphite, etc.), the thicknesses of thelayers, dopants, spacers (including surface structures), sub-circuitsthat are incorporated and the distances that separate the layers.Referring to FIG. 4, the distance 440 between the parallel layers of theconstruct 400, and the thicknesses of the layers, may be selected sothat the parallel layers of the construct 400 have a particular index ofrefraction. For example, the layers can be comprised of graphite to havean index of refraction that is adjusted by the spacing between thelayers and/or by the addition of adsorbed and/or absorbed substanceswithin the spacings. Additionally, in some implementations, dopants areadded to an architectural construct to change its index of refraction.For example, layers of an architectural construct comprised of boronnitride may be doped with nitrogen, silicon or carbon to increase ordecrease its index of refraction generally or in selected regions.

An architectural construct's index of refraction may change when asubstance is loaded into the architectural construct. For example, anarchitectural construct existing in a vacuum may have a different indexof refraction than when hydrogen is loaded into the construct andexpressed as epitaxial layers and/or as capillaries between theepitaxial layers. In some implementations, the index of refraction of afirst portion of an architectural construct is different from the indexof refraction of a second portion of the architectural construct. Forexample, referring to FIG. 5, the first set 510 of layers may have adifferent index of refraction than the second set 520 of layers becausethe first set of layers is thinner and is spaced apart by a greaterdistance than the layers in the second set of layers.

An architectural construct can be configured to regionally develop orhave a particular diffraction grating by orienting its layers relativeto one another in a particular way. As a result, incidentelectromagnetic waves will diffract through layers of the architecturalconstruct in a predictable pattern. In some implementations, by passinglight through layers of an architectural construct and observing how thelight is diffracted and refracted (e.g., by observing the diffractionpattern that is produced, if it exists, and the angle that the light isrefracted at), it can be determined what unknown substance is loaded onedges or between the layers. For example, an architectural construct maybe configured so that atoms from a first layer are aligned with atomsfrom a second layer when viewed from a position perpendicular to theconstruct, as in FIG. 1A, producing a predictable diffraction patternwhen light is passed through the construct. As discussed above withreference to FIGS. 1A-C, layers of a construct (either spaced apart orstacked atop one another) may be oriented in different ways byoffsetting or rotating one layer relative to the other.

III. Catalytic Properties

An architectural construct can be configured to catalyze a reaction in avariety of ways. For example, an architectural construct comprised ofparallel layers, like those of FIGS. 3-5, may catalyze a chemicalreaction or a biological reaction at an edge of its layers bycontrolling the temperature of the reaction, by having a particularspacing, charge array and/or configuration that catalyzes the reaction,facilitating heat additional or removal, or by supplying a substancethat catalyzes the reaction. An architectural construct can catalyze areaction by speeding the reaction up, prolonging the presentation ofreactants to promote a reaction, enabling the reaction by heat additionor removal, moving or removing products formed by reaction steps or byotherwise facilitating the reaction.

A number of variables can be changed to catalyze a particular reaction.In some implementations, the thicknesses of the layers of anarchitectural construct are selected so that a reaction is catalyzed. Insome implementations, the distances between layers and/or the layers'compositions (e.g., boron nitride, carbon, etc.) are selected so that areaction is catalyzed. In some implementations, dopants are added to anarchitectural construct or spacers (including surface structures) of aparticular chemistry are added between layers so that a particularreaction is catalyzed.

In some implementations, the parallel layers catalyze a reaction bytransferring heat to a zone where a reaction is to occur. In otherimplementations, the parallel layers catalyze a reaction by transferringheat away from a zone where a reaction is to occur. For example,referring again to FIG. 3, heat may be conductively transferred into theparallel layers 300 to supply heat to an endothermic reaction within thesupport tube 310. In some implementations, the parallel layers catalyzea reaction by removing a product of the reaction from the zone where thereaction is to occur. For example, referring again to FIG. 3, theparallel layers 300 may absorb alcohol from a biochemical reactionwithin the support tube 310 in which alcohol is a byproduct, expellingthe alcohol on outer edges of the parallel layers, and thus improvingthe productivity and/or prolonging the life of one or more types ofmicrobes involved in the biochemical reaction.

In some implementations, a first set of parallel layers is configured tocatalyze a reaction and a second set of parallel layers is configured toabsorb and/or adsorb a product of the reaction. For example, referringagain to FIG. 5, the second set 520 of layers may be configured tocatalyze a chemical reaction by enabling the reaction between twomolecules and the first set 510 of layers may be configured to adsorb aproduct of the reaction, thus prolonging the length of the chemicalreaction.

A reaction can be catalyzed in other ways as well. In someimplementations, an architectural construct is electrically charged tocatalyze a reaction proximate to the construct. In some implementations,an architectural construct is configured to resonate acoustically at aparticular frequency, causing molecules to orient themselves in a waythat catalyzes a reaction. For example, the molecules may be oriented toenable a chemical reaction or their adsorption onto the layers. In someimplementations, an architectural construct is configured to transmit orabsorb radiant energy to catalyze a reaction. For example, referring toFIG. 5, the second set 520 of layers may be configured to absorb radiantenergy and transform the radiant energy into heat that the first set 510of layers uses to facilitate an endothermic reaction. Similarly, surfacestructures may be configured to absorb radiant energy to heat theconstruct and facilitate a reaction.

In some implementations, a catalyst is added to an architecturalconstruct to catalyze a reaction proximate to the construct. Thecatalyst may be applied on the edges of layers of the construct or onthe surfaces of the construct. For example, chromia may be applied onthe edges of an architectural construct, and the chromia may catalyze achemical reaction between methane and ozone produced from air usingionized ultraviolet radiation or an induced spark.

IV. Capillary Properties

An architectural construct configured as parallel layers may be arrangedso that fluid such as a gas or liquid moves between its layers viaintermolecular forces, surface tension, electrostatic and/or otherinfluences of capillary action. Any of a number of variables can bechanged so that the parallel layers can perform a capillary action withrespect to a particular substance. In some implementations, the layers'composition, surface structures, dopants, and/or thicknesses areselected so that an architectural construct performs a capillary actionwith respect to a particular substance. In some implementations, thedistances between the layers are selected so that the architecturalconstruct performs a capillary action with respect to a particularsubstance. For example, referring to FIG. 6, each of the concentriclayers of the architectural construct 600 may be spaced a capillarydistance apart from one another for presenting or producing water, andthe architectural construct can force or otherwise deliver water up orthrough the construct via capillary action.

An architectural construct may be comprised of some layers that are aspaced at capillary distance for a first molecule and some layers thatare spaced at a capillary distance for a second molecule. For example,referring to FIG. 5, the first set 510 of layers may be a capillarydistance with respect to a first molecule, such as propane, and thesecond set 520 of layers may be sized to perform a capillary action withrespect to a second molecule, such as hydrogen. In this example,hydrogen may be removed or adsorbed to the adjacent graphene layers andadditional hydrogen may be absorbed between the boundary layers ofhydrogen as provided for specific outcomes in processes such asconversion of propane to propylene by the architectural constructdesign. Additionally, in some implementations, an architecturalconstruct is configured so that heat can be transferred into or out ofthe construct to facilitate capillary action or so that a charge can beapplied to the layers of an architectural construct to facilitate thechemical process by facilitating capillary action.

V. Sorptive Properties

An architectural construct that is arranged in parallel layers may beconfigured to load a substance into zones between the layers. A moleculeof a substance is loaded between parallel layers when it is adsorbedonto the surface of a layer or absorbed into the zones between thelayers. For example, referring back to FIG. 3, the architecturalconstruct 300 may load molecules of a substance presented at an insideedge 340 of the layers into the zones 330 between the layers. Thesupport tube 310 may supply the substance through perforations 350.

A number of factors affect whether an architectural construct will loadmolecules of a substance. In some implementations, the architecturalconstruct is configured to transfer heat away from the zones from whicha molecule is loaded. When an architectural construct is cooled, it mayload molecules faster or it may load molecules that it was unable toload when it was hotter. Similarly, an architectural construct may beunloaded by transferring heat to the construct or through the constructto reactants or products. In some implementations, an architecturalconstruct is configured to load molecules at a faster rate or at ahigher density when an electric charge is applied to the construct. Forexample, graphene, graphite, and doped boron nitride are electricallyconductive. An architectural construct composed of these materials maybe configured to load molecules at a higher rate when an electric chargeis applied to its layers. Additionally, as mentioned above, in someimplementations, an architectural construct can be configured toacoustically resonate at a particular resonant frequency. Anarchitectural construct may be configured to resonate at a specificfrequency so that particular molecules proximate to the construct areoriented favorably for loading into the zones between the layers.

In some implementations, an architectural construct is configured toload or unload a substance when radiant energy is directed at theconstruct. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the distance 320 betweeneach of the parallel layers of the construct 300 may be selected so thatthe architectural construct absorbs infrared, acoustic, visible or UVwaves, causing the layers to heat up and load or unload molecules of asubstance that it has loaded. As discussed above, in someimplementations, a catalyst can be applied to selected regions such asthe outside edges of the layers to facilitate the loading of substancesinto the zones between the layers.

In some implementations, an architectural construct is configured toselectively load a particular molecule or molecules (e.g., by loading afirst molecule and refraining from loading a second molecule). Forexample, referring again to FIG. 5, the first set 510 of layers may beconfigured so that they are a particular distance apart that facilitatesthe selective loading of a first molecule and not a second molecule.Similarly, the second set 520 of layers may be configured so that theyare a particular distance apart to facilitate the loading of a thirdmolecule but not the second molecule. Surface tension at the edges ofthe layers may also be altered or designed to also affect whether amolecule is loaded into an architectural construct. For example, if thefirst set 510 of layers has already loaded molecules of a firstsubstance, surface tension at the inside edges of the first set 510 oflayers where molecules of the substance are loaded from may prevent thefirst set 510 of layers from loading molecules of the second substancebut allow the first set 510 of layers to continue to load molecules ofthe first substance.

Polarized conformal Raman spectroscopy may be utilized to map locallymodified zones of architectural construct. This enables zone-specificadjustments to control heat transfer, polarization, modulus ofelasticity, and many other chemical, physical, electrical and mechanicalcapabilities.

In some implementations, an architectural construct includes surfacestructures configured on its surfaces that facilitate in the loading andunloading of substances into and out of the construct. Surfacestructures can be epitaxially oriented by the lattice structure of alayer to which they are applied. In some embodiments, they are formed bydehydrogenating a gas on the surface of the layers. In otherembodiments, they are coated on a layer before adjacent layers areconfigured on the construct. FIG. 10 shows an architectural construct1000 that includes parallel layers that have surface structures 1010configured thereon. The surface structures 1010 include nanotubes,nano-scrolls, rods, and other structures.

Surface structures can enable an architectural construct to load more ofa substance or load a substance at a faster rate. For example, anano-flower structure can absorb molecules of a substance into an areawithin the structure and adsorb molecules of the substance on itssurface. In some embodiments, the surface structures enable thearchitectural construct to load a particular compound of a substance. Insome embodiments, the surface structures enable the architecturalconstruct to load and/or unload molecules of a substance more rapidly.In some embodiments, a particular type of surface structure is preferredover another surface structure. For example, in some embodiments, anano-scroll may be preferred over a nano-tube. The nano-scroll may beable to load and unload molecules of a substance more quickly than anano-tube can because the nano-scroll can load and unload layers ofmultiple molecules of a substance at the same time while a nano-tube canonly load or unload through a small area at the tube ends along theaxis. In some embodiments, a first type of surface structure loads afirst compound and a second type of surface structure loads a secondcompound. In some embodiments, surface structures are composed ofmaterial that is electrically conductive and/or has a high availabilityfor thermal transfer. In some embodiments, surface structures arecomposed of at least one of carbon, boron, nitrogen, silicon, sulfur,transition metals, mica (e.g., grown to a particular size), and variouscarbides or borides and such structures may be compounded, doped and/ororiented to perform electrical, thermal, and chemical functions to meetthe design variations disclosed.

As is shown in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, surface structures areoriented perpendicular to the surfaces of the architectural construct.In other embodiments, at least some of the surface structures are notoriented perpendicular to the surface that they are applied on. In FIG.11, surface structures 1110 are oriented at different angles from thesurfaces of an architectural construct 1100 than 90-degrees. A surfacestructure may be oriented at a particular angle to increase the surfacearea of the surface structure, to increase the rate that molecules areloaded by the surface structure, to increase a loading density of thesurface structure, to preferentially load a molecule of a particularcompound, or for another reason. Surface structures can be configured,including inclination at a particular angle, by grinding, lapping, laserplanning, and various other shaping techniques.

In some implementations, surface structures are configured on anarchitectural construct and are composed of one or more differentmaterials than the construct. In FIG. 10, for example, the layers of thearchitectural construct 1000 may be composed of graphene and the surfacestructures 1010 may be composed of diamond-like structures or boronnitride. The surface structures can be composed of other materials, suchas boron hydride, diborane (B₂H₆), sodium aluminum hydride, MgH₂, LiH,titanium hydride, and/or another metal hydride or metallic catalyst,non-metal or a compound.

Further Implementations

An architectural construct can be designed at a macro level to utilizeone or more of the properties discussed above to facilitatemicro-processing on a nano-scale. Among the applications for whicharchitectural constructs are useful include as a charge processor,optical information storage and/or processor, a molecular processor, anda bio processor.

An architectural construct configured as a charge processor can be usedto build microcircuits, detect the presence of a particular atom ormolecule in an environment, or achieve another result. In someimplementations, an architectural construct configured as a chargeprocessor forms an electrical circuit. For example, parallel layers ofgraphene, like those shown in FIG. 4, can be spaced apart by dielectricmaterials so that the architectural construct stores an electric chargeand functions like a capacitor. In some implementations, anarchitectural construct, like the architectural construct 400 shown inFIG. 4, is configured as a high-temperature capacitor by isolatingparallel layers of the construct with a ceramic. In someimplementations, an architectural construct, like the architecturalconstruct 400 shown in FIG. 4, is configured as a low-temperaturecapacitor by isolating parallel layers with a polymer. In someimplementations, an architectural construct is configured for processingions. For example, the architectural construct 400 can be configuredwith a semi-permeable membrane covering certain zones between the layersof the construct. The semi-permeable membrane allows particular ions topenetrate the membrane and enter the architectural construct where theyare detected for a particular purpose. In some implementations, anarchitectural construct is configured as a solid-state transformer.

An architectural construct can also be configured as a molecularprocessor. As discussed above, in some implementations, material fromthe architectural construct participates in a chemical reaction.Additionally, in some implementations, an architectural construct cantransform electromagnetic waves at a molecular level. For example, anarchitectural construct can be configured to transform an input such as100 BTU of white light into an output such as 75 BTU of red and/or bluelight. The white light is wave-shifted by chemically resonating thewhite light to transform it into other frequencies such as blue, green,and red light frequencies. For example, the architectural construct 400shown in FIG. 4 can be composed of carbon with selected zones convertedto a solid solution or compound such as a carbide with reactants such asboron, titanium, iron, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or silicon,and the construct can be configured so that the layers are oriented toshift white light into desired wavelengths such as red and/or blue lightand/or infrared frequencies.

An architectural construct configured as a bio processor may be used tocreate enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, or other substances. In someimplementations, an architectural construct is configured as parallellayers, and it removes a product of a biochemical reaction from areaction zone so that the biochemical reaction can continue. Forexample, the architectural construct 300 shown in FIG. 3 may beconfigured to load a toxic substance, like chlorine, carbon monoxide,oxides of nitrogen or an alcohol, from a reaction zone within thesupport tube 310. By removing the toxic substance, a microbe involved inthe biochemical reaction will not be inhibited or killed and thebiochemical reaction can continue unabated. In other implementations, anarchitectural construct can be configured to remove and/or protectand/or orient and present a useful product such as hydrogenase of abiochemical process or reaction from a reaction site without having tointerrupt the reaction. In another example, the support tube 310 withinthe architectural construct 300 shown in FIG. 3 may house a biochemicalreaction that produces a useful lipid, which is loaded into the zones330 between the layers of the construct and unloaded on the outsideedges of the zones. Therefore, the biochemical reaction can continuewhile the useful product is removed.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe invention have been described herein for purposes of illustrationbut that various modifications may be made without deviating from thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is notlimited except as by the appended claims.

To the extent not previously incorporated herein by reference, thepresent application incorporates by reference in their entirety thesubject matter of each of the following materials: U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/921,134, filed on Aug. 29, 1997 and titledCOMPACT FLUID STORAGE SYSTEM; U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/370,431, filed on Aug. 9, 1999 and titled COMPACT FLUID STORAGESYSTEM; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/857,461, filed on Aug.16, 2010 and titled INTERNALLY REINFORCED STRUCTURAL COMPOSITES ANDASSOCIATED METHODS OF MANUFACTURING.

Methods of Production

Techniques, methods, materials, apparatuses and systems are describedfor producing, fabricating, and manufacturing an architecturalconstruct. The described techniques, methods, materials, apparatuses andsystems can create an architectural construct to be utilized in avariety of implementations so as to exploit its useful properties. Usingthe described processes of fabrication, an architectural construct canbe produced to be implemented as a substrate, sacrificial construct,carrier, filter, sensor, additive, and catalyst for other molecules,compounds, and substances, as well as a means to store energy andgenerate power. It can be configured to have specific properties, suchas a specific density, electrical conductivity, magnetic characteristic,specific heat, optical characteristic, modulus of elasticity, and/orsection modulus.

Architectural constructs can be produced, fabricated, and manufacturedon a nano-, micro-, and macro-size scale. In addition to size, otherdesign factors including composition, structure, layer orientation,dopants, etc., can be determined before and during the fabrication of anarchitectural construct, in order to engineer it with desired propertiesand functionalities. Architectural constructs can be produced for use ina variety of industries including building materials and construction,durable goods, clean energy, filter technology, fuel technology,production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials, andbiotechnology, among many others.

In some embodiments, a method to manufacture architectural constructscan be performed to produce nanometer sized architectural constructs.For example, a single atom-thick layer of material (such as carbon orboron nitride) can be deposited on a substrate, and by giving thedeposited material energy (such as heat energy), the material can findits lowest energy and self-align forming a single organized layer. Thelength and width of the layer can be produced to range from small, suchas an area in the nm² or μm², to large, such as a square millimeter,centimeter, meter, or even larger area. The process can then be repeatedto add another layer or layers of material on top of it to form a matrixcharacterization of layers. These layers, however, are not limited tointerconnecting through atomic bonds but may also be controlled bysecondary forces such as Van der Waals bonds. The process can then bestopped, in which an architectural construct of the deposited materialhas been created, but the method can also be continued by again givingthe deposited layers energy and introducing precursors, such as e.g., afluid or a gas. The gas can flow between the layers, and when the energyis removed, the gas can be held between the layers. The type of gasintroduced can affect and change how the gas is held in the formedself-organized layers. For example, atomic bonds can be formed with thegas when the gas is a carbide former in a carbon-based architecturalconstruct; or the carbide former gas can substitute into a twodimensional layer. In another example, when the gas is a noble gas,bonding can be much weaker, such as Van der Waals bonds. The type of gascan be used to engineer the properties of an architectural construct.Another way to manipulate engineering properties of an architecturalconstruct is to introduce precursors (e.g., dopants) into the plane withelements, compounds, or substances that can change its orientation ormagnetism including magnetic information storage. Additionally, theadditions of precursors can be used to influence the spacing andexfoliation of the layers, which can impact the engineered properties ofthe architectural construct and the size. Spacing, orientation, andexfoliation can further affect the desired engineered properties ofarchitectural constructs. Layers can be spaced, oriented, and exfoliatedby the addition of pressure, heat, and/or precursors (such ascatalysts). Alterations in applied pressure, heat, catalysts, or variouscombinations of these processes can exfoliate layers with variablespacing and/or orientations.

Depending on the desired properties of the end product of thearchitectural construct, the formed layers with the incorporatedprecursors can be cleaved (e.g., cut up into smaller areas or largerareas). The cleaved architectural construct can be reinforced by atleast one of adding a carbon fiber to wrap (e.g., fix or stabilize) thelayers, doping the edge atoms of the layers to induce the formation ofatomic bonds, and connecting the two dimensional planes by scrolldeformation. In one aspect, reinforcement of an architectural constructcan employ some of the atoms in place within the layers to connect theplanes together. In a carbon-based architectural construct, an electronbeam (e.g., 400 KeV) can allow a localized diamond structure to growbetween the layers; also, other similar processes with a laser or otherradiation methods can be employed to facilitate localized diamond growthbetween the layers in carbon-based architectural constructs. Anotherexample to reinforce an architectural construct can include formation ofscroll deformation(s) by use of an outside energy source to interconnectthe layers. A scroll is a type of deformation that can be caused by adifferent atom being substituted in a plane of all similar atoms. Byintentionally doping localized areas of the planes to create scrolls,the substituted atoms can be arranged in a line that can cause the planeto bend or fold crease. If the substituted atoms are arranged in morecircular pattern, the plane can take on a three dimensional shape, e.g.,by bending the bonds to and sheet toward another sheet, and the atomsfrom the bent sheet bonding to another sheet.

FIG. 12A shows a process flow diagram of an exemplary process 1200 tofabricate an architectural construct of carbon. Process 1200 can includea process 1210 to dehydrogenate a purified hydrocarbon by applying heatthrough a substrate. Process 1200 can also include a process 1220 tofacilitate self-organization of the deposited carbon to form a matrixcharacterization of layers over the substrate. Process 1200 can alsoinclude a process 1230 to exfoliate and space the layers in theformation of an architectural construct.

A variety of carbon sources can be collected and used to produce acarbon-based architectural construct, such as carbohydrates (likecellulose, lignocelluloses, etc.) and hydrocarbons, which can bepartially dissociated or destructively processed to release carbon to afeedstock, such as hydrocarbon (C_(x)H_(y)) in a purified form. Process1210 can be implemented to dehydrogenate the suitable purifiedhydrocarbon compound, for example a paraffinic gas such as methane, overa substrate by applying heat to a temperature approaching thedecomposition temperature of the carbon-donor compound through thesubstrate. Systems to supply heat can include solar trapping and/orconcentrator systems and counter-current heat exchange systems.Additionally, heat can be incorporated from waste heat systems (e.g.,engine exhaust) or renewable energy sources that can include at leastone of wind, hydro, biomass, solar, tidal, and geothermal energy.Hydrocarbons used in this process can also include other paraffins andolefins, such as methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, butane,butylene, and other larger molecular weight paraffins and olefins.Briefly, Equation (3) below shows an exemplary general process fordehydrogenation of a paraffinic hydrocarbon to dissociate and producecarbon (C) and hydrogen gas (H₂). Equation (4) below shows the exemplaryprocess for dehydrogenation of methane to produce C and H₂.

C_(x)H_(y)+HEAT→xC+0.5_(y)H₂  (3)

CH₄+HEAT→C+2H₂  (4)

The dehydrogenation process can be performed in a chamber or environmentwhere the reaction steps are protected against discrepant reactions andprocesses. A higher anaerobic temperature of deposition can result in afaster rate of solid deposit. Pressurization of the carbon donor gas canexpedite the rate of carbon formed on the substrate. Lower pressures canfavor decomposition of the purified hydrocarbon compound and can producehigher H₂-to-hydrocarbon ratios. Exemplary substrate materials used inthis process can include pyrolytic graphite and boron nitride (includinghot-pressed zone refined and recrystallized boron nitride). Selection ofthe substrate can influence the growth pattern of the self-organizinglayers.

The deposited carbon can self-organize to form a matrix characterizationof crystallized carbon in a series of layers over the substrate (process1220). The deposited carbon can find its lowest energy and self-alignforming a single organized layer, and further layers of deposited carboncan self-organize to form many layers of a matrix characterization. Theformed layers of a matrix characterization of carbon can be graphene,for example. A schematic of an exemplary layer of a matrixcharacterization 100 of crystallized carbon can be seen in FIG. 1A. Theself-organization of carbon process can be modified to form layers of amatrix characterization of crystallized carbon of different thicknessesand orientations of layers. For example, revisiting FIGS. 1B and 1C,carbon atoms can self-organize to form a matrix characterization suchthat a first layer and a second layer are aligned (as seen in FIG. 1A),partially offset from alignment (as seen in FIG. 1B), and fully offsetfrom alignment (as seen in FIG. 1C).

Process 1230 to exfoliate and space layers formed by self-organizationof carbon can be exfoliated and spaced using heat or other methodsdescribed here. FIG. 12B shows an exemplary process of the process 1230for exfoliation and spacing of the self-organized layers using a fluidsubstance that can exfoliate the layers of a matrix characterization ofcrystallized carbon. In this exemplary process, the self-organizedlayers receive exfoliate precursors by doping procedures, zonerefinement, and/or can be warm-soaked in a fluid substance (process1231), such as the produced hydrogen from process 1210. Diffusion of thefluid substance between the layers of the matrix characterization can befacilitated until a uniform or non-uniform concentration is reached(process 1232). For example, to optimize diffusion of the fluidsubstance between the layers of a matrix characterization of carbon,pressure can be suddenly released from the system encasing the formedlayers, which can cause the diffused fluid to move into areas where thepacking is least dense and form gaseous layers. The layers can beexfoliated by the addition of pressure (process 1233) and by theaddition of heat (process 1234). Alterations in applied pressure, heat,or both in processes 1233 and 1234 can exfoliate layers with variablespacings. The exfoliated layers can be oriented in a position withrespect to one another, e.g., parallel to any other exfoliated layer andoffset and/or rotated (as seen in FIGS. 1A-C). A homogeneous fluidsubstance diffused into the self-organized layers at a uniformconcentration can exfoliate the layers with uniform thicknesses andspacing. In an exemplary matrix characterization of carbon graphene,exfoliation of layers can occur along each of the 0001 planes.

Spacing of exfoliated layers can be configured using selected precursorsduring process 1230, as shown in FIG. 12C. Selected precursors can beused along with suitable arrangements such as zone refinement and heattreatments to provide sufficient time at selected temperatures toachieve sufficient transformations to exfoliate or enable exfoliation ofthe layers of a matrix characterization of crystallized carbon withvariable layer spacing (of smaller and/or larger distances from oneanother). Selected precursors, also referred to as spacers, can beselected from a variety of materials (process 1235); one such examplecan include a fluid substance. In one aspect, particular fluid spacerscan be selected (process 1235) and be used to warm-soak theself-organized layers (process 1231) in a manner in which the distanceof layer separation can be controlled by controlling the amount and typeof fluid substance that enters the crystal and the temperature at thestart of expansion. For example, spacing with selected fluid precursorsto create additional separation of layers can include selectingsuccessively larger paraffin molecules, such as methane, ethane,propane, and butane to achieve variable spacing. A larger molecule canachieve a relatively larger spacing compared to a smaller molecule.Additionally, processes 1232 and 1233 and/or 1234 can be employed alongwith regional modifications by inductive coupling, laser, electron-beamor another type of radiant energy transfer for zone refinement tofacilitate diffusion of the selected fluid precursor(s) to controluniform or non-uniform concentrations of the spacers between the layers(process 1232) and further control variable spacing during exfoliationof layers with the addition of pressure (process 1233) and heat (process1234).

Still referring to FIG. 12C, spacing of exfoliated layers can also beconfigured using selected precursors during process 1230 that includeselecting other classes of precursors (spacers) in process 1235 andimplementing processes 1232 and 1233 and/or 1234. In one aspect,particular distances between the exfoliated layers can be achieved bydepositing other classes of selected precursors (spacers) duringprocesses 1233 and/or 1234. For example, other selected precursors caninclude titanium, titanium hydride, iron, nickel, cobalt, boron,nitrogen, carbon, hydrocarbon, and silicon along with preparations ofsuch precursors such as carbonyls (e.g., iron pentacarbonyl). Also,other selected precursors can include trace crystal modifiers, such asneon, argon, or helium, which can be added at the time of a layer'sformation through localized zone refinement and/or more general heattreatment that can move the structure to a particular orientation, orthrough torque of the matrix characterization of a crystal duringexfoliation.

Additionally, the layers of a matrix characterization of crystallizedcarbon may be coated with selected precursors that catalyze thewarm-soaking process 1231 and diffusion process 1232 by helping thefluid enter the crystal. These layer-coating processes including zonerefinement and/or more general heat treatment with selected precursorscan also control the depth to which the fluid diffuses into the crystal,which can allow layers that are multiple-atoms thick to be exfoliatedfrom the crystal. Examples of layer-coating selected precursors caninclude platinum metal, rare earth metals, palladium-silver alloys,titanium and alloys of iron-titanium, iron-titanium-copper, andiron-titanium-copper-rare earth metals. A thin coating of alayer-coating selected precursor or combination of layer-coatingselected precursors can be applied by vapor deposition, sputtering, orelectroplating techniques. The layer-coating selected precursors can beremoved after each use and reused on another batch or series of layersof a matrix characterization after it has allowed the diffusion of fluidinto the crystal. Depending upon analysis of the energy requirements andrecovery efficiency zone refinement to improve such removal and recoveryand may be selected compared to more general heat treatment and chemicalremoval procedures. In some cases, selected precursors can includedopants or impurities that can be introduced into the crystal at aparticular depth by techniques such as zone refinement in which one ormore types of energy such as directed laser, inductive, electron beamand other radiation frequencies are utilized to encourage the fluid todiffuse to that depth so that layers that are multiple-atoms thick canbe exfoliated from the crystal. Additionally, these type of dopant orimpurity selected precursors can be localized on the edges of theproduced architectural construct using electron beam or laserdeposition, in which localization can greatly reduce the amount ofdopants or impurities and increase its specialization.

Selected precursors can also be built into the building blocks of thematrix characterization during process 1220, as shown in FIG. 12D. Forexample, selected precursors to be built into the matrixcharacterization diffusion (also referred to as build precursors) can beselected and exposed to the matrix characterization in process 1221.Deposition of build precursors between the layers of the matrixcharacterization can be facilitated by diffusion until a uniform ornon-uniform concentration is reached, exemplified in process 1222.Additionally, processes 1223 and/or 1224 can be employed to aid process1222 to facilitate diffusion of the selected build precursor(s) with theaddition of pressure (process 1223) and heat (process 1224).

In some implementations of process 1200, one or more holes may be boredin a matrix characterization of crystallized carbon before exfoliation,which can be used to accommodate a support structure (exemplified inFIG. 3 as a support tube 310 of an architectural construct 300). Asupport structure can include fibers, nanotubes, and nanoscrolls in someexamples. A support structure can be configured within a matrixcharacterization to support the desired architectural construct.Configuration of a support structure within a matrix characterizationcan occur during process 1200 before the process 1230 to exfoliate andspace layers. Or, a support structure can be configured within a matrixcharacterization after the exfoliation process 1230.

In some cases, a support structure may also be used to fix the layers ofan architectural construct at a particular distance apart from oneanother. Therefore, a support structure can also be used as a stabilizerto stabilize the architectural construct. In some implementations ofprocess 1200, a support structure can be configured along the edges ofan architectural construct's layers (e.g., as a casing for anarchitectural construct that is comprised of parallel layers) aftercompletion of the architectural construct. For example, carbon fiber(also referred to as a wrap) can be used to fix or stabilize (‘pin’) thelayers to prevent their collapse, e.g., prevent the layers from shearingor shear sliding. Boron nitride fiber wraps can also be used to fix thelayers of an architectural construct. Three wraps can be used tostabilize the architectural construct from shearing in any direction.Configuration of a stabilizing support structure along an edge or edgesof an architectural construct can occur after process 1200.

FIG. 12E shows another exemplary method of the process 1230 forexfoliation and spacing of the self-organized layers using an acidtreatment approach. Process 1237 can involve soaking the layers formedby self-organization of carbon with an acid, such as sulfuric acid oroleums. Subsequently, any damage to the exfoliated layers can berepaired by reintroducing and dehydrogenating a purified hydrocarbon,such as methane, to the exfoliated layers (process 1238). One advantageof utilizing this method of process 1230 can include larger spacingbetween exfoliated layers.

Another exemplary method to perform the exfoliation and spacing oflayers (process 1230) can involve electrically charging or inductivelymagnetizing each exfoliated layer and electrically or magnetically forcethe layers apart from one another.

FIG. 13 shows a process flow diagram of an exemplary process 1300 tofabricate an architectural construct of carbon using purified methane.Process 1300 can include a process 1310 to purify methane from an impurecarbon source, such as a hydrocarbon or carbohydrate taken from avariety of sources, such as a waste stream. For example, an impurecarbon source can be processed (e.g., dissociated through anaerobicdigestive processes) and purified into methane. Processes to purifymethane can depend on the types of impurities associated, which caninclude precipitation through a chemical reaction, diffusion by size,phase change (if impurity is condensable, like water), and filtration bysize and/or chemical properties. According to certain embodiments of thedisclosure, the process 1310 to purify methane from an impure carbonsource can be at least partially made from a system to producecarbon-based durable goods and renewable fuels as disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/027,068, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 andtitled “CARBON-BASED DURABLE GOODS AND RENEWABLE FUEL FROM BIOMASS WASTEDISSOCIATION.”

Process 1300 can also include a process 1320 to dehydrogenate purifiedmethane by applying heat through a substrate (in a manner similar toprocess 1210); a process 1330 to facilitate self-organization of thedeposited carbon to form a matrix characterization of layers over thesubstrate (in a manner similar to process 1220); and a process 1340 toexfoliate and space the layers in the formation of an architecturalconstruct (in a manner similar to process 1230). If desired, process1300 can further include a process 1350 to fill the spaced layers(created in processes 1340) with selected precursors. Also if desired, aprocess 1360 can build these selected precursors into the matrixcharacterization of formed and spaced layers by applying heat includingapplication of directed zone refinement by inductive coupling, laser,and/or electron beam delivery. If desired, new dimensions to thearchitectural construct can be created by filling spaces between layersagain with selected precursors (e.g., repeating process 1350) andbuilding selected precursors into the matrix characterization of theformed and spaced layers (e.g., repeating process 1360). Repeatedprocesses involving precursors can be performed with differentprecursors and selected patterns of relocation activity as may bedeveloped by zone refinement using suitable energy input such as laser,induction, electron beam or focused light of another frequency than theprevious iteration, for example. If further widening of thearchitectural construct is also desired, repetition of process 1340 canbe implemented before repeating processes 1350 and 1360 to create newdimensions to the architectural construct. Process 1300 can also includea process 1370 to configure a stabilizing support structure (stabilizer)along an edge or edges of an architectural construct.

In another implementation of process 1300, process 1370 can beimplemented between processes 1340 and 1350 instead of after process1360. In another implementation of process 1300, process 1370 can beimplemented both between processes 1340 and 1350 as well as afterprocess 1360. In another implementation of process 1300 to create anarchitectural construct without stabilization, process 1300 can beimplemented without implementing process 1370.

FIG. 14 shows a process flow diagram of another exemplary process 1400to fabricate an architectural construct. Process 1400 can include aprocess 1410 to deposit boron nitride on a substrate through processessuch as general heat treatment and/or various types of zone refinementsincluding localized or directed processes as previously disclosed.Process 1400 can also include a process 1420 to facilitateself-organization of the deposited carbon by applying heat through asubstrate to form a matrix characterization of boron nitride layers overthe substrate. Process 1400 can also include a process 1430 to exfoliateand space the layers in the formation of an architectural construct (ina manner similar to process 1230).

FIG. 15 shows a process flow diagram of an exemplary process 1500 tofabricate an architectural construct using boron nitride. Process 1500can include a process 1510 to deposit boron nitride on a substrate; aprocess 1520 to facilitate self-organization of the deposited boronnitride to form a matrix characterization of layers over the substrateby applying heat through the substrate (in a manner similar to process1220); and a process 1530 to exfoliate and space the layers in theformation of an architectural construct (in a manner similar to process1230). If desired, process 1500 can further include a process 1540 tofill the spaced layers (created in processes 1530) with selectedprecursors. Also if desired, a process 1550 can build these selectedprecursors into the matrix characterization of formed and spaced layersby applying heat including general heat treatment and/or zone refinementincluding localized development of chemical and physical properties bylaser, electron beam, inductive or focused light. If desired, newdimensions to the architectural construct can be created by fillingspaces between layers again with selected precursors (e.g., repeatingprocess 1540) and building selected precursors into the matrixcharacterization of the formed and spaced layers (e.g., repeatingprocess 1550). If further widening of the architectural construct isalso desired, repetition of process 1530 can be implemented beforerepeating processes 1540 and 1550 to create new dimensions to thearchitectural construct. Process 1500 can also include a process 1560 toconfigure a stabilizing support structure (stabilizer) along an edge oredges of an architectural construct.

In another implementation of process 1500, process 1560 can beimplemented between processes 1530 and 1540 instead of after process1550. In another implementation of process 1500, process 1560 can beimplemented both between processes 1530 and 1540 as well as afterprocess 1550. In another implementation of process 1500 to create anarchitectural construct without stabilization, process 1500 can beimplemented without implementing process 1560.

The described exemplary processes can be implemented to createarchitectural constructs with specified functional properties, which canbe based on the design factors incorporated into the method(s) tomanufacture the architectural construct. Such architectural constructdesign factors can include its composition, matrix characterization,dopants, edge atoms, surface coatings, and configuration of layers,e.g., number, thickness, orientation, geometry, spacers in between, andspacing distance of layers. For example, FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 17Ashow uniformly spaced, parallel layers of an architectural construct,which can be composed of carbon or boron nitride. FIG. 16A shows a sideview that exhibits exemplary planes of a single-atom thick matrixcharacterization layer; FIG. 16B shows the exemplary planes alonganother side view; FIG. 16C shows the exemplary planes along a top view;and FIGS. 16A-C show the exemplary planes not aligned. FIG. 16D showsone exemplary plane that exhibits a scroll behavior of the plane to bendor fold crease. FIG. 17A shows a three dimensional side view of anexemplary architectural construct.

By configuring the size, quantity, orientation, spacing distance oflayers in an architectural construct, new engineered materials can beproduced, fabricated, and manufactured on a nano-, micro-, andmacro-size scale. In addition to size, other design factors includingcomposition, crystal structure, layer orientation, dopants, etc., can bedetermined before and during the fabrication of an architecturalconstruct, in order to engineer it with desired properties andfunctionalities.

In one example, an architectural construct can be used to build newmaterials by which the architectural construct can bind atoms,molecules, compounds, or substances of a normal, standard, common, rare,and existing material. The bound substance can be of the same or ofanother material as the material or materials that make up thecomposition of an architectural construct. An architectural constructcan be configured to bind substances through intermolecular attractiveforces and exhibit adsorption properties to accumulate gases, liquids,and/or solutes on the surface of the layers, thereby capturing andstoring and/or hosting the accumulated substance(s) in specialized zonesof the architectural construct. For example, FIG. 17B shows gasmolecules that can be adsorbed and confined between layers of anarchitectural construct. FIG. 17B can be, for example, an architecturalconstruct that is a matrix characterization of crystallized carbon,where the layers of carbon crystal are graphene layers that adsorb andconfine a gas, like methane or hydrogen and localized zone refinement bylaser, microwave, electron beam, or focused light may be individually orselected in various combinations for energy additions in nano-, micro-,or macro-scale regions.

In another example, an architectural construct can carry substances byloading and unloading the substances. FIG. 18A shows a three dimensionaltop view of an exemplary plane (or planes) of a layer (or layersinformally aligned) of an architectural construct that can carry asubstance, such as a gas, by adsorbing it to the surface of the layerand self heal after the atoms of its constituent structure (and carriedsubstance) are consumed. For example, the architectural construct inFIG. 18A can be composed from carbon and capture and carry methane gas.In this exemplary case, after unloading substances, reacting with othersubstances, or otherwise being used up, the sacrificed matrixcharacterization of carbon can be self-healed by self-organization ofdiamond. FIG. 18B shows a three dimensional side view of an exemplaryarchitectural construct of many parallel oriented layers of thearchitectural construct featured in FIG. 18A that can carry a substance,sacrifice itself, and self-heal.

An architectural construct can be designed for processing on ananometer, micrometer, or larger macro-level scale in order to exhibitparticular properties for various functionalities and outcomes where thedesired implementation exists exclusively on that scale or on more thanone scale. Such functionalities can include an engineered material thatcan be used for thermal blocking and heat tolerance, heat transfercontrol, heat trigger points, pressure resistance, pressure yielding,pressure trigger points, piezoelectric effects (e.g., charge transferupon compression of layers), optical transparency-conductivity andopacity (e.g., to certain radiant wavelengths), optical triggers,surface tension attraction and repulsion (e.g., include site receptorsand rejecters on the architectural construct), chemically interactivezones or platforms, chemically inert zones or platforms, chemicaltrigger points, electron transport and electrically conductive purposes,electrically inert-insulative purposes, corrosion resistance,bio-proliferation resistance, chemical degradation purposes (e.g.,degrade the structure and functionality of carcinogenic materials),kinetic energy storage and transfer, kinetic energy blocking, tensilestrength, hardness, and lower or higher weight and density. Applicationsof new engineered materials by designed architectural constructs canexploit these functionalities in a variety of systems, such as fueldelivery systems, chemical delivery systems, drainage and irrigationsystems, electrical delivery systems, energy harvesting systems, energystorage systems, and energy generation systems. New engineered materialsby designed architectural constructs can be used in a variety ofbuilding materials and parts, such as car parts, tiles, roofing andflooring materials, fencing, framing members, pallets, and receptacles.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific toparticular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features thatare described in this specification in the context of separateembodiments can also be implemented in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multipleembodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the embodiments described above should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments.

Only a few implementations and examples are described and otherimplementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on whatis described and illustrated in this application. For example, thedescribed techniques, systems and apparatus can be implemented toprovide carbon extraction from any hydrogen and carbon containingmaterial. Specific embodiments of the invention have been describedherein for purposes of illustration, but various modifications may bemade without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appendedclaims.

To the extent not previously incorporated herein by reference, thepresent application also incorporates by reference in their entirety thesubject matter of each of the following materials: U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/027,235, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titledDELIVERY SYSTEMS WITH IN-LINE SELECTIVE EXTRACTION DEVICES ANDASSOCIATED METHODS OF OPERATION; U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/027,188, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titled METHODS, DEVICES, ANDSYSTEMS FOR DETECTING PROPERTIES OF TARGET SAMPLES; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/027,068, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titledCARBON-BASED DURABLE GOODS AND RENEWABLE FUEL FROM BIOMASS WASTEDISSOCIATION; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/027,195, filed on Feb.14, 2011 and titled OXYGENATED FUEL; U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/027,196, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titled CARBON RECYCLING ANDREINVESTMENT USING THERMOCHEMICAL REGENERATION; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/027,197, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 and titled MULTI-PURPOSERENEWABLE FUEL FOR ISOLATING CONTAMINANTS AND STORING ENERGY; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/027,185, filed on Feb. 14, 2011 andtitled ENGINEERED FUEL STORAGE, RESPECIATION AND TRANSPORT.

1. A process comprising: dehydrogenating hydrocarbon feedstock todeposit carbon onto a substrate, wherein the dehydrogenating comprisesapplying heat through the substrate; forming a plurality of layerscomprising a matrix characterization of carbon derived from adehydrogenated hydrocarbon, wherein the layers are formed throughself-organization of the carbon; and producing an architecturalconstruct of carbon by exfoliating at least one layer from the pluralityof layers to form at least one exfoliated layer, wherein the producingthe architectural construct of carbon comprises impregnating the atleast one exfoliated layer with a fluid to create a pressure, whereinthe at least one exfoliated layer is substantially parallel with anyother exfoliated layer.
 2. A process of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbonfeedstock comprises methane.
 3. A process of claim 2, wherein themethane is substantially purified methane.
 4. A process of claim 1,wherein the matrix characterization of carbon is graphene.
 5. (canceled)6. A process of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a gas such asmethane, ethane, propane, or butane.
 7. A process of claim 1, furthercomprising adding at least one precursor into the matrixcharacterization of carbon, between exfoliated layers, or both.
 8. Aprocess of claim 7, wherein the at least one precursor is selected froma group consisting of titanium, titanium hydride, iron, ironpentacarbonyl, nickel, cobalt, boron, nitrogen, carbon, hydrocarbon,silicon, and carbide gas.
 9. A process of claim 7, wherein the adding atleast one precursor into the matrix characterization of carbon furthercomprises applying at least one of heat or pressure.
 10. A process ofclaim 1, further comprising stabilizing the at least one exfoliatedlayer with a stabilizer.
 11. A process of claim 10, wherein thestabilizer comprises at least one of a carbon fiber wrap and dopantatom. 12-19. (canceled)
 20. A process comprising: dehydrogenatinghydrocarbon feedstock to deposit carbon onto a substrate, wherein thedehydrogenating comprises applying heat through the substrate; forming aplurality of layers comprising a matrix characterization of carbonderived from a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon, wherein the layers are formedthrough self-organization of the carbon; producing an architecturalconstruct of carbon by exfoliating at least one layer from the pluralityof layers to form at least one exfoliated layer, wherein the at leastone exfoliated layer is substantially parallel with any other exfoliatedlayer; and adding at least one precursor into the matrixcharacterization of carbon, between exfoliated layers, or both.
 21. Aprocess of claim 20, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock comprisesmethane.
 22. A process of claim 21, wherein the methane is substantiallypurified methane.
 23. A process of claim 20, wherein the matrixcharacterization of carbon is graphene.
 24. A process of claim 20,wherein the producing an architectural construct of carbon byexfoliating at least one layer from the plurality of layers to form atleast one exfoliated layer comprises impregnating the at least oneexfoliated layer with a fluid to create a pressure.
 25. A process ofclaim 24, wherein the fluid comprises a gas such as methane, ethane,propane, or butane.
 26. A process of claim 20, wherein the at least oneprecursor includes at least one of titanium, titanium hydride, iron,iron pentacarbonyl, nickel, cobalt, boron, nitrogen, carbon,hydrocarbon, silicon, or carbide gas.
 27. A process of claim 20, whereinthe adding at least one precursor into the matrix characterization ofcarbon further comprises applying at least one of heat or pressure. 28.A process of claim 20, further comprising stabilizing the at least oneexfoliated layer with a stabilizer.
 29. A process of claim 28, whereinthe stabilizer comprises at least one of a carbon fiber wrap or dopantatom.
 30. A process comprising: dehydrogenating hydrocarbon feedstock todeposit carbon onto a substrate, wherein the dehydrogenating comprisesapplying heat through the substrate; forming a plurality of layerscomprising a matrix characterization of carbon derived from adehydrogenated hydrocarbon, wherein the layers are formed throughself-organization of the carbon; producing an architectural construct ofcarbon by exfoliating at least one layer from the plurality of layers toform at least one exfoliated layer, wherein the at least one exfoliatedlayer is substantially parallel with any other exfoliated layer; andstabilizing the at least one exfoliated layer with a stabilizer.
 31. Aprocess of claim 30, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock comprisesmethane.
 32. A process of claim 31, wherein the methane is substantiallypurified methane.
 33. A process of claim 30, wherein the matrixcharacterization of carbon is graphene.
 34. A process of claim 30,wherein the producing an architectural construct of carbon byexfoliating at least one layer from the plurality of layers to form atleast one exfoliated layer comprises impregnating the at least oneexfoliated layer with a fluid to create a pressure.
 35. A process ofclaim 34, wherein the fluid comprises a gas such as methane, ethane,propane, or butane.
 36. A process of claim 30, further comprising addingat least one precursor into the matrix characterization of carbon,between exfoliated layers, or both.
 37. A process of claim 36, whereinthe at least one precursor includes at least one of titanium, titaniumhydride, iron, iron pentacarbonyl, nickel, cobalt, boron, nitrogen,carbon, hydrocarbon, silicon, or carbide gas.
 38. A process of claim 36,wherein the adding at least one precursor into the matrixcharacterization of carbon further comprises applying at least one ofheat or pressure.
 39. A process of claim 30, wherein the stabilizercomprises at least one of a carbon fiber wrap or dopant atom.